Abaq
VIP
Disclaimer: the information below I received from confidential informants within Villa Somalia. We cannot comment as to the veracity of the report below, however, we have confidence in its reliability.
When HSM went to Rome for a state visit, he met the Italian PM in Rome. Italy sees Somalia as its rightful backyard and eagerly wants to regain its former prominent position. To that effect, Meloni offered Somalia the following:
1. Italy will provide Somalia with military helicopters
2. Italy will build for Somalia a new airbase
3. Italy will import more bananas from Somalia and help expand the industry
4. Italian forces will help train Somali forces and engage in joint drills
HSM countered that Somalia didn't need the above and he wanted:
1. Italy to give Somalia budgetary support (ie money and straight into his coffers)
2. Italy to station troops in Somalia
3. Italian firms to invest in Somalia
Predictably, Meloni refused. Some of HSM aides were quietly uncomfortably with his shocking counter proposal. They felt very embarrassed. This was made even worse when one of the Italian aides said to a HSM aide "we thought we were dealing with a president but it turns out we are dealing with a tribal chief".
Unfortunately, we have a donkey for a president.
When HSM went to Rome for a state visit, he met the Italian PM in Rome. Italy sees Somalia as its rightful backyard and eagerly wants to regain its former prominent position. To that effect, Meloni offered Somalia the following:
1. Italy will provide Somalia with military helicopters
2. Italy will build for Somalia a new airbase
3. Italy will import more bananas from Somalia and help expand the industry
4. Italian forces will help train Somali forces and engage in joint drills
HSM countered that Somalia didn't need the above and he wanted:
1. Italy to give Somalia budgetary support (ie money and straight into his coffers)
2. Italy to station troops in Somalia
3. Italian firms to invest in Somalia
Predictably, Meloni refused. Some of HSM aides were quietly uncomfortably with his shocking counter proposal. They felt very embarrassed. This was made even worse when one of the Italian aides said to a HSM aide "we thought we were dealing with a president but it turns out we are dealing with a tribal chief".
Unfortunately, we have a donkey for a president.